The Committee to Protect Journalists will honour journalists from Cameroon, Mexico, Thailand, and Yemen with its 2017 International Press Freedom Awards.

The journalists have faced government harassment, death threats, or imprisonment in their pursuit of the truth. CPJ is also honouring PBS journalist Judy Woodruff with its inaugural Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award.

CPJ's 2017 IPFA awardees are:

Ahmed Abba, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale's Hausa service, who was imprisoned in Cameroon in July 2015. He was convicted of terrorism-related charges and sentenced in early 2017 to 10 years in prison in connection with his coverage of the extremist sect Boko Haram.

Patricia Mayorga, a correspondent for the Mexico City-based newsmagazine Proceso, who has received threats over her coverage of alleged links between Mexico's ruling party and organised crime, forced disappearances, and human rights issues.

Pravit Rojanaphruk, a reporter and longtime press freedom advocate in Thailand, who has maintained his critical tone and probing reporting style despite being under military threat.

Afrah Nasser, a leading Yemeni reporter and blogger, who covers tensions in her home country from Sweden, where she lives in exile. Nasser, who also reports on human rights violations, women's issues, and press freedom, fled Yemen after receiving death threats over articles that criticised the regime during the 2011 uprising.

"Journalists around the world face growing threats and pressure," said CPJ executive director Joel Simon. "Those we honour are the most courageous and committed. They stand as an example that journalism matters."

CPJ's inaugural Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award will be presented to American Judy Woodruff, the award-winning broadcast journalist and managing editor of PBS NewsHour. Woodruff has covered news and politics at CNN, NBC, and PBS for more than three decades. The award honours the memory of Gwen Ifill, the award-winning PBS NewsHour journalist and CPJ senior advisor and former board member, who died in November 2016. The award will be presented to individuals who show extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.

All of the winners will be honoured at CPJ's annual award and benefit dinner in November.